Serum Retinol and Risk of Overall and Site-Specific Cancer in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study
Menée à l'aide d'échantillons sanguins prélevés sur 29 104 hommes entre 1985 et 1993, cette étude analyse l'association entre le niveau sérique de rétinol et le risque de cancer, global et par localisation
Retinol, the most biologically active form of vitamin A, may influence cancer-related biologic pathways. However, results from observational studies of serum retinol and cancer risk have been mixed. We prospectively examined serum retinol and risk of overall and site-specific cancer in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study (n=29,104 men) conducted between 1985-1993, with follow-up through 2012. Serum retinol concentration was measured using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Cox proportional hazards models estimated the association between baseline serum retinol quintile (Q1-Q5) and overall and site-specific cancer risk in 10,789 cases. After multivariable adjustment, higher serum retinol was not associated with overall cancer risk (Q5 vs. Q1: HR=0.97, 95% CI=0.91,1.03, p-trend=0.43). Higher retinol concentrations were, however, associated with increased risk of prostate cancer (Q5 vs. Q1: HR=1.28, 95%CI=1.13,1.45, p-trend=<0.0001), and lower risk of both liver and lung cancers (Q5 vs. Q1: liver HR=0.62, 95%CI 0.42, 0.91 p-trend=0.004; lung HR=0.80, 95%CI 0.72, 0.88 p-trend=<0.0001). No associations with other cancers were observed. In this large prospective cohort analysis, higher serum retinol was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer and lower risk of liver and lung cancers. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie these associations may provide insight into the role of vitamin A in cancer etiology.